16-year-old charged in Wisconsin murder of elderly Sikh

Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Aug 18 (IANS) A 16-year-old felon from Milwaukee has been charged with the fatal shooting of Dalbir Singh, a member of the Oak Creek gurdwara where six worshippers were gunned down Aug 5.

According to the criminal complaint, Deangelo Williams shot and killed Dalbir Singh at Harmony Food Store, owned by his nephew Jatinder Singh, on Wednesday around 9.15 p.m., according to local TV station TMJ4.

Jatinder Singh, who was with his uncle during the shooting, told police he was closing up the store Wednesday night when he allegedly saw Williams point a gun at his uncle near the rear door.

Jatinder Singh and Dalbir Singh then ran back inside the store and held the door in such a way that shielded the suspect from getting in.

Then Jatinder Singh claims the suspect fired a gun through the door and it struck Dalbir Singh in the head. Dalbir Singh was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jatinder Singh said that Williams was in the store earlier that evening, walked around and didn’t buy anything. Authorities say that Jatinder Singh positively identified Williams from a photo array.

Williams has been charged of first-degree reckless homicide with use of a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. Those charges could result in a maximum of 75 years in prison, TMJ4 said.

According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dalbir Singh was not at the Oak Creek Sikh gurdwara during the Aug 5 shooting. Jatinder Singh was there but left before alleged white supremacist Wade Michael Page shot and killed six people.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office has confirmed that Williams has been arrested, TMJ4 said. Williams was previously found guilty of robbery in June.